In the grocery store the other day and saw that Tostitos now has a ghost pepper salsa. I gotta try that!
My go to salsa for chips is the Trader Joe's Habanero/Ghost pepper. It's my fav, but I can't always make it to Trader Joe's, so maybe the Tostitos one might be a good substitute I can get my paws on easier?
Curious, but also a little apprehensive. I've plucked up my fare share of ghost pepper products from big-big companies, and they usually taste terrible. The Campbells chunky ghost pepper soup? Eeew.
Anywho, here are both salsas side by side – packaging and then opened up.
My notes?
TJ's is still the winner, but the Tostitos one was pretty good! I would get it again!
TJ's has the most flavor, the most heat, but it also has the most "stuff" in it. There are more vegetables and solids in it. Good texture. It has that "homemade" look.
The Tostitos has less "stuff" in it – so it's more sauce, but it is far from being in the realm of the like of Pace, which is just vegetables floating in red water. Tostitos not watery at all. Also good texture. It does not have the same heat at the TJs at all, but it is spicier than a normal store bough "hot" salsa.
So, I dig it!
by rotorschnee
12 Comments
I think Tostitos makes the worst salsas I’ve ever had, I can’t say I’ve tried this one though!
IMO, unfair comparison. The TJ’s stuff is from the refrigerated section (looks like), so that’s always going to have an advantage due to freshness. I’m not a huge fan of Tostito’s salsa, but that’s shelf-stable.
That TJ’s ghost pepper is the only store-made salsa I’ll buy.
If you can find it, my favorite salsa brand is “Arriba” salsa. Their “hot” salsa is actually spicy, and definitely worth it! It’s a bit more difficult to find, sadly. It is made in San Antonio, TX. Definitely worth trying if you can find it
Tostitos, Pace,Ortega all generic tomato sauce dupes lol
Tried the TJs ghost pepper salsa for the first time the other day. I thought it was actually pretty good, and even had a nice little bit of heat. Would def buy again.
Mrs Renfros Ghost Pepper salsa js great. And crazy hot
Nothing beats fresh salsa
Mateo’s is the best store bought stuff.
Mrs. Renfro’s makes a terrific ghost pepper salsa. High school me (and my brother) could devour that shit.
Unfortunately, my stomach started fighting back after I hit 20
I’m not a fan of the TJ salsa if you like ghost pepper try to find the Ms Renfros ghost pepper salsa it’s by FAR the best one. And LOL at the Tostitos, might as well just eat Pace at that point
I love the flavor and heat on the TJ Ghost Pepper Salsa, way too much garlic though.